Agricultural applicator and system

Abstract

A variable width agricultural applicator is provided. The variable width agricultural applicator is attachable to a boom to apply a liquid to a crop in rows. The variable width agricultural sprayer includes a drop tube and a splitter downstream of the drop tube. The splitter is fluidly connected to the drop tube. A pair of flexible delivery tubes is fluidly connected to the splitter. Each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes has a predetermined bend.

Claims

1. A variable width agricultural applicator attachable to a boom to apply a liquid to a crop in rows, the variable width agricultural applicator sprayer comprising: a drop tube; a splitter downstream of the drop tube, an inlet of the splitter fluidly connected to the drop tube; the splitter defining a sealed area within the splitter fluidly connecting the inlet of the splitter and splitter outlets; a pair of flexible delivery tubes downstream of the splitter, the pair of flexible delivery tubes fluidly connected to the splitter outlets; wherein each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes is thermoformed plastic and has a predetermined bend; wherein a first width is defined between the predetermined bend of each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes; wherein a flexibility of each of the pair of flexible delivery tubes is such that the first width is configured to decrease during use between the crop in rows having a row width less than the first width; wherein the drop tube upstream of the splitter comprises a first hose portion, a second stainless steel portion, and a second hose portion, wherein a distal end of the stainless steel portion is bent to form a bent distal end; wherein a drop pivot mount assembly connects the drop tube to the boom; wherein the drop pivot mount assembly includes a drop mount sleeve connected to a first coupler; wherein the drop mount sleeve defines a sleeve longitudinal axis and the first coupler defines a first coupler longitudinal axis, the sleeve longitudinal axis being proximately normal to the first coupler longitudinal axis; wherein a breakaway spring surrounds the first hose portion along at least a portion of its length.

2. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein each of the predetermined bends is configured to decrease the first width therebetween upon impact of the crop in rows on a first portion of each of the pair of flexible delivery tubes upstream of the predetermined bend.

3. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, a proximal end of the drop tube connected to the boom; the drop tube configured to freely pivot relative to the boom proximate the proximal end.

4. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 3, wherein the drop tube defines a drop tube longitudinal axis, wherein the drop tube is configured to freely pivot to position the drop tube longitudinal axis parallel to the ground.

5. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein the bent distal end is bent approximately 30 and 50 degrees relative to a drop longitudinal axis defined by the drop tube.

6. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein rotation of the drop mount sleeve rotates the breakaway spring to pivot the drop tube.

7. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein the splitter is generally a round cylinder having the inlet for connection with the second hose portion, and wherein the outlets include a first outlet for connection to the first flexible delivery tube and a second outlet for connection to the second flexible delivery tube.

8. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 7, wherein the first and second outlets are sized to receive outlet orifices of variable diameters to control fluid flow therethrough and the inlet includes a check valve located inside the splitter.

9. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein a force of the crop impacting each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes during use is transferred to each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes to decrease the first width and steer the pair of flexible delivery tubes between the generally parallel rows to maintain a delivery of the liquid to a base of the crop in rows that are generally parallel rows.

10. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein the splitter includes a pair of apertures extending completely through the splitter without penetrating the sealed area.

11. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein each one of the splitter outlets is threadedly connected to a respective hose barb to fluidly connect the pair of flexible delivery tubes to the splitter outlets.

12. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 1, wherein a removable orifice is located inside the splitter at each one of the splitter outlets, the removable orifice removable through the splitter outlets.

13. A variable width agricultural applicator system to apply a liquid to a crop in rows in a field, the variable width agricultural applicator sprayer system comprising: a boom configured to be driven through the field; a plurality of spaced apart variable width agricultural applicators attached to the boom; each one of the plurality of variable width agricultural applicators comprising: a drop tube; a splitter downstream of the drop tube, an inlet of the splitter fluidly connected to the drop tube; the splitter defining a sealed area within the splitter fluidly connecting the inlet of the splitter and splitter outlets; a pair of flexible delivery tubes downstream of the splitter, the pair of flexible delivery tubes fluidly connected to the splitter outlets; wherein each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes is thermoformed plastic and has a predetermined bend; and wherein a first width is defined between the predetermined bend of each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes; wherein a flexibility of each of the pair of flexible delivery tubes is such that the first width is configured to decrease during use between the crop in rows having a row width less than the first width; further comprising a sub-boom attached to the boom, a plurality of brackets attaching the plurality of variable width agricultural applicators to the sub-boom, each one of the plurality of brackets having a pivot shaft extending proximately normal to a longitudinal axis of the sub-boom, and a rotatable geared wheel; wherein a shaft is contained within the sub-boom, the shaft extending collinear with the sub-boom longitudinal axis.

14. The variable width agricultural applicator system of claim 13, wherein a drop pivot mount assembly pivotably connects the drop tube to the pivot shaft, the drop tube free to pivot to position a drop tube longitudinal axis of the drop tube parallel to the ground.

15. The variable width agricultural applicator system of claim 13, the shaft configured to rotate about the sub-boom longitudinal axis to mesh with the geared wheel of each one of the plurality of brackets to pivot each one of the drop tubes to position a drop tube longitudinal axis of each one of the drop tubes parallel to ground.

16. The variable width agricultural applicator system of claim 13, wherein the splitter includes a pair of apertures extending completely through the splitter without penetrating the sealed area.

17. A variable width agricultural applicator attachable to a boom to apply a liquid to a base of a crop in generally parallel rows, the variable width agricultural applicator comprising: a drop tube; a splitter downstream of the drop tube, an inlet of the splitter fluidly connected to the drop tube; the splitter defining a sealed area within the splitter fluidly connecting the inlet of the splitter and splitter outlets; a pair of flexible delivery tubes downstream of the splitter, the pair of flexible delivery tubes fluidly connected to the splitter outlets; wherein each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes has a predetermined bend; wherein each one of the pair of flexible delivery tubes has an upstream portion extending from the splitter to the predetermined bend; and wherein a flexibility of the flexible delivery tubes is such that a width measured between centers of the upstream portions is configured to decrease when impacted by the crop during use; wherein the drop tube upstream of the splitter comprises a first hose portion, a second stainless steel portion, and a second hose portion, wherein a distal end of the stainless steel portion is bent to form a bent distal end; wherein a drop pivot mount assembly connects the drop tube to the boom; wherein the drop pivot mount assembly includes a drop mount sleeve connected to a first coupler; wherein the drop mount sleeve defines a sleeve longitudinal axis and the first coupler defines a first coupler longitudinal axis, the sleeve longitudinal axis being proximately normal to the first coupler longitudinal axis; wherein a breakaway spring surrounds the first hose portion along at least a portion of its length.

18. The variable width agricultural applicator of claim 17, wherein the splitter includes a pair of apertures extending completely through the splitter without penetrating the sealed area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agricultural applicator on a boom driven by a vehicle according to the teachings of the instant application;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1 moving between parallel rows of crops as it applies liquid to the base of the crop;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic rear view of the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of splitter of the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1 with a top portion removed;

(7) FIG. 6 is schematic side view of the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an automatic folding mechanism for the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sub-boom for the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a folding boom including the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the folding boom in a transport position including the agricultural applicator of FIG. 1; and

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an agricultural applicator according the teachings of the instant application.

(13) While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) Turning now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a variable width agricultural applicator 100 attached to a boom 102 to apply liquid to a crop in rows. While such an exemplary embodiment will be utilized in describing various features and advantages of embodiments of the invention, such a description should be taken by way of example and not by limitation. Indeed, advantages of embodiments of the invention can be used to improve delivery of a liquid to a crop in rows where it is desirable for a vehicle 104 to travel between parallel rows of a crop to apply the liquid. It can be readily appreciated from FIG. 1 that the boom carries a plurality of a variable width agricultural applicators 100 spaced to be located between rows of crops in the field.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates the variable width agricultural applicator 100 in use as it applies liquid 106 to the base of a parallel rows of crop 108, 110 defining a row width 109 between the parallel rows of crops 108, 110. It can be readily appreciated that while the row width 109 can be generally uniform, at times the row width 109 decreases such that it is desirous for the variable width agricultural conveyor 100 to decrease its width 156 to still be able to apply the liquid 106 to the base of the parallel rows of crops 108, 110 and not merely impact and damage the crops because of its rigidity. Indeed, as will be discussed, variable width agricultural applicator 100 is flexible enough to decrease its width 156 and not destroy crops.

(16) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic side top view of the variable width agricultural applicator 100 of FIG. 100. A supply line 110 carries the liquid 106 from a supply tank (not illustrated) of the liquid 106 under pressure to the variable agricultural applicator 100. The supply line 110 is semi-flexible rubber hose with basic corrosive resistance. More specifically, the supply line 110 connects to a standard TeeJet® nozzle body (not illustrated) or similar nozzle found on conventional booms with a standard adapter and hose barb. Such booms are also referred to as wet booms because they are structurally able, via pvc pipe for example, to carry liquid that exits the pipe via supply lines to feed the nozzles. Accordingly, once the supply line 110 is connected to the TeeJet® nozzle body the liquid no longer exits the boom 102 via the nozzles but instead is ported to the variable width agricultural applicator 100.

(17) The supply line 110 connects to a stainless or plastic ⅜″ hose barb×½″ MPT adapter that is threaded into coupler 112 of drop tube 114. Coupler 112 is a ½″ FPT high pressure stainless steel bar stock coupler.

(18) Coupler 112 is welded to a drop mount sleeve 116 of a drop pivot mount assembly 118 in a perpendicular orientation so that the two bisect each other, making a cross. The drop mount sleeve consists of a 2 inch long section of 1″ OD×0.76″ ID×0.120″ wall 304 stainless steel tube. In an embodiment, as illustrated, the drop pivot mount assembly 118 may include fork 120 that may be mounted on the opposite side of the drop mount sleeve 114. The fork 120 may be made up of two ⅜″ stainless steel rods bent to follow the curve of the drop mount sleeve 114 and welded to the drop mount sleeve 116 approximately ¾″ apart.

(19) The pivot mount assembly 118 attaches to a first hydraulic hose 122. The first hydraulic hose 122 is of relatively short length and is approximately ½″ diameter. The first hydraulic hose 122 is flexible and has stainless steel non swivel ends. The first hydraulic hose 122, as illustrated is inside of a break away spring 124. The hydraulic hose 122 is threaded into a second coupler 128 of a rigid portion 126 of the drop tube 114. The second coupler 128 is a weld on NPT coupler that is welded to a piece of ¾ OD×0.065 W 304 stainless tube 130 that varies in length depending on the application and extent needed extend from the boom 102 depending on the range of heights available with the boom 102. In other words, tractors vary in size. A tractor that that has a boom higher than another smaller tractor may require longer lengths of stainless steel tube 130. The liquid 106 then enters into the first hydraulic hose 122 such that the liquid 106 directly contacts the first hydraulic hose 122.

(20) At the distal end 132 of the rigid portion 126, a third coupler 134 is attached via weld. The third coupler 134 is ¼″ FPT. The third coupler 134 connects the rigid portion 126 of the drop tube 114 to a second hydraulic hose 144. The second hydraulic hose 144 may be ⅜ inch diameter hydraulic hose that can vary in lengths depending on the operational needs. The second hydraulic hose 144 may have stainless ends. A first end is threaded into the third coupler 134.

(21) The second hydraulic hose 144 at a second end is attached to a splitter 146. Splitter 106 divides the liquid 106 into a first flexible delivery tube 148 and a second delivery tube 150 to apply the liquid 106 out of the first and second outlets 152, 154 to the first and second rows of crops 108, 110.

(22) Turning now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates the first and second flexible delivery tubes 148 and 150 in further detail. The first and second flexible delivery tubes 148, 150 are thermoformed semi-flexible plastics that have been bent along their lengths to form a first bend 149 and a second bend 151 respectively. First bend 149 divides the first delivery tube 148 into a first upstream portion 153 and a first downstream portion 155. The first bend 149 defines a first application angle 147 of between 110 and 170 degrees between its first upstream portions 153 and first downstream portion 155. In a preferred embodiment the application angle 147 is between 120 and 165 degrees and in a more preferred embodiment the application angle 147 is between 130 and 160 degrees.

(23) Second bend 150 divides the second delivery tube 150 into second upstream portion 157 and second downstream portion 159. Second bend 150 defines a second application angle 156. The first and second application angles 147, 156 are equal to one another. This in an embodiment the second application angle 147 is between 110 and 170 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the second application angle 156 is between the between 120 and 165 degrees and in a more preferred embodiment the application angle 156 is between 130 and 160 degrees.

(24) The application angles 147, 156 define a first width 158 between the bends 147, 156. Thus, the operator chooses the first and second delivery tubes 148, 150 having the predetermined bends 147, 156 based upon the row width 109 (FIG. 1). However, even with such choice, at times the row width 109 (FIG. 1) can vary even with seemingly uniform rows. Accordingly, because of the flexibility of the first and second delivery tubes 148, 150, even with their predetermined bends 147, 156, upon impact of the crop in rows upon the first and second upstream portions, the first distance 158 can decrease to a second width 161. The broken lines in FIG. 4 indicated the movement of the first and second delivery tubes 148, 150 to define the second width 158 which is less than the first width 156. Thus, impact by the first and second delivery tubes 148, 150 does not damage the crops and the delivery of the liquid to the crops generally remains at the base of the crop.

(25) The first and second flexible delivery tubes 148, 150 are both the same length but because they can be changed out, the overall lengths can vary to accommodate the desired application. Indeed the first and second flexible delivery tubes 148 and 150 connect the splitter 146 at outlets 160, 162 via hose barbs 164, 166. In an embodiment the outlets 160, 162 form a splitter angle 172 between 30 and 80 degrees. In a preferred embodiment the splitter angle 172 is between 40 and 75 degrees and in a more preferred embodiment, the splitter angle 172 is between 45 and 65 degrees. As with the interchangeability of the first and second delivery tubes 148, 150, splitter 146 can be chosen with a predetermined splitter angle 172 to accommodate various row widths between crops.

(26) FIG. 5 illustrates the splitter 146 in further detail as a top portion is removed to see the internal features inside the splitter 146. Splitter 146 is a short section of approximately 2.5″ diameter stainless round stock with an inlet 168 that is threaded to receive the third coupler 134. The inlet 168 is fluidly connect to the outlets 160, 162. The inlet 168 further includes a check valve 170 that acts to prevent unpressurized liquid from entering the splitter 146 and to allow for an open loop system to allow the liquid to drain out from any structures below the check valve 170. The outlets 160, 162 are threaded so as to receive the hose barbs 164, 166. Splitter 146 also includes apertures 174, 176 defined by the splitter 146. The apertures 174, 176 do not penetrate the sealed area for the liquid as it passes from the inlet 168 to the first and second outlets 164, 166. The apertures 174, 176 facilitate machining the splitter 146, can be used to control the weight of the splitter 146, can attach an adapter (not illustrated) to increase the width between the first and second delivery tubes 148, 150 (FIG. 4) and can facilitate storage.

(27) Orifices 171, 173 may be placed at the outlets 160, 162 to control flow therethrough. The orifices 171, 173 may be changed out with other orifices of other diameters to depending on the operational needs. The orifices 171, 173 may be changed out by unthreading the hose barbs 164, 166 out of the outlets 160, 162, inserting the new orifices and rethreading the hose barbs into the outlets 160, 162.

(28) FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the variable width agricultural conveyor 100. A bracket 178 includes a pivot shaft 180 for slidingly receiving the drop mount sleeve 116. Bushings 184 facilitate the drop mount sleeve's 116 reception on the pivot shaft 180. A retainer bushing 186 is also used on the pivot shaft 180 to permit reception of the drop mount sleeve 116. A lynch pin 182 through the retainer busing and shaft holds the drop mount sleeve 116 in place such that the drop tube 114 is free to pivot in and out of the page so as to become parallel if need be for transport to a central boom axis 188.

(29) The rigid portion 126 at the distal end 132 is bent to produce a bend 136 (FIG. 5) using a tube bender to create an angle 138 (FIG. 5) between 15 and 60 degrees relative to a central longitudinal axis 140 through a straight portion 142 of the rigid portion 126. In a preferred embodiment, the angle 138 (FIG. 5) is between 25 and 55 degrees and in a more preferred embodiment, the angle 138 (FIG. 5) is between 35 and 45 degrees. Bend 136 prevents damage to the rigid portion 126 of the drop tube 114 because it places the second hydraulic hose 144 into position to absorb changing topography of the fields. For example if a bump is encountered the bend 136 permits the second hydraulic hose 144 to absorb the impact rather than damage the drop tube 114 or its connections via the drop tube mount assembly 118 at the boom 102.

(30) Also, an embodiment of the first delivery tube 148 is illustrated wherein instead of the check valve 170 being present in the splitter 146 it is found as a stainless steel check valve 190 with orifices 192 and deflector 194 attached via hose barb 196 that allow for maintaining pressure avoid dribbling liquid after shut off and keep the liquid aimed down at the base of the plant to avoid damage.

(31) FIG. 7 illustrates the drop mount sleeve 116 telescopes over the pivot shaft 180. Pivot shaft 180 maybe be ¾″ to attach and detach the drop tube 114 from the bracket 178. The bracket 178 is designed to stay on the boom 102 throughout the season but can be adjusted left and right and are removable with 4 bolts. The bracket 178 includes two rectangular pieces of flat steel with bolt holes in the 4 corners. One side has a ¾″ hole centered horizontally, with the bottom of the hole even with the bottom of the boom. The two pieces are attached via bolts sandwiching the boom 102 in between.

(32) The bracket 180 is therefore a mounting bracket. It is attached directly to the existing boom 102. The pivot shaft 180 is inserted into the ¾″ hole of the bracket 178 and plug welded on the inside then ground flush if necessary for proper fitment to the boom 102. The bracket 178 can be mounted with the pivot shaft 180 facing towards the front of the tractor 104 (FIG. 1) or the back depending on the application. The two rectangular pieces of the bracket 180 are then bolted to one another with the boom 102 sandwiched between them. Each drop tube 114 has its own bracket for attachment to the boom 102.

(33) Each drop tube 114 is then slid over the pivot shaft 180 with bushings 184 on each side of it. The bushings 184 are held onto the shaft with a lynch pin 182 that is inserted into a retainer bushing 184 that has a hole drilled through it once it is lined up with a corresponding hole in the pivot shaft 180. The retainer bushing 184 may be fitted with a retainer rod 190 (FIG. 8) for automatic fold systems (to be discussed) that protrudes out and up to help catch and hold the drop tube 114 for transport mode.

(34) FIG. 7 illustrates the variable width agricultural applicator 100 utilizing a sub boom 192 attached to the boom 102 (FIG. 8). In the embodiment, an auto fold mechanism 194 is used to facilitate positioning of the drop tubes 114 for transport. With the auto fold mechanism 194 the drop tubes 114 are still attached to the sub boom 192 during transit to or from the field before or after operations. The operator from the cab can automatically store the drop tubes 114 into position for transport. It should be noted that even without the auto fold mechanism 194 the drop tubes 114 can be left on the sub boom and will pivot into a storage position as the boom 102 and sub booms 192 fold. During transit the drop tubes 114 are stored in a position parallel to the longitudinal axis 195 of the sub-boom 192.

(35) Still with respect to FIG. 7. The sub boom 192 includes a shaft 198. The automatic folding mechanism 194 can include the pivot shaft 180 with bushings 200 and worm gears 202 that rotate inside of the sub boom 192 driving worm wheel 204 with a member 206 protruding out of them to engage the support fork 120 and fold the drop tube 114 for transport mode. While worm gear 202 and worm wheel 204 are illustrated, it can be readily appreciated that in other embodiments a chain drive may be used and in yet others a rack and pinion type arrangement to name a few non limiting examples. Also, in an embodiment the support fork 120 is not needed where poly reinforcement has been added to the first hydraulic hose 122 (FIG. 3) to increase its rigidity together with the breakaway spring 120 such that there is sufficient rigidity to rotate the entire drop tube 114.

(36) The sub-boom 192 is of lengths of thin walled 1.5″ square tube with rectangular holes laser cut in one of the 4 faces every 10 inches, starting centered 5″ in, allowing a space for the worm gears 202 to mesh. The sub boom 192 is then mounted to the existing boom 102 (FIG. 8) with basic industry methods using telescoping tube, U-bolts and locking pins. The sub boom 192 sections are connected to one another using sub-boom couplers. Sub-boom couplers consist of short lengths of telescoping tube that fit over the ends of the sub-boom sections. The sub-boom sections can be fastened with bolts or the sub booms sections can be welded making one solid sub-boom 192 the length needed for each solid section of the spray boom on a given sprayer.

(37) Each end of the sub-boom 192 is capped with a cap 208. The cap 208 is a square piece of steel with a hole in the center to allow the shaft 198 access and prevent lateral movement of the shaft 198. The cap 208 is welded to the end of a sub-boom coupler and bolted to the sub-boom 192. The shaft 198 is held in position by bushings 200 also referred to as poly bushings 200, lock collars 210, 211 and or roll pins as well as the tube caps 208. The poly bushings 200 may also be fastened through the tube wall with screws or bolts if necessary. A variety of power sources can be used to power the shaft 198, for example hydraulic, pneumatic and electric with the use of motors and pulleys, gears or direct drive depending on the application.

(38) A mounting bracket 212, similar to the bracket 178 (FIG. 6) includes two pieces of flat steel. Mounting bracket 212 must be wide enough that the bolts do not interfere with the worm wheel 204. The mounting bracket 212 has the pivot shaft 180 attached to the back bracket extending out below the sub boom 192 allowing the fitment of the worm gear 202 centered below the sub-boom 192. The pivot shaft 180 is ¾″. The mounting bracket's 212 forward mount will also have the forward bushing welded to a small section of the mounting bracket 212 that provides additional rigidity to keep the gears properly meshed. As the worm gear 202 rotates the member 206 which protrudes from the worm wheel 204 and engages and pushes the support fork 120 causing the entire drop tube 114 to fold parallel to the sub-boom 192 or beyond. As previously discussed, in embodiments, the support fork 120 is not needed where poly reinforcement has been added to the first hydraulic hose 122 (FIG. 3).

(39) FIG. 8 illustrates the sub-boom 192 attached to the boom 102. Pins 214 can be easily removed to disconnect receiver arms 216. Retainer rods 190 facilitate storage of the drop tubes 114.

(40) FIG. 9 illustrates the drop tubes 114 in a first fold section 218 of the boom 102 as it folds. The drop tubes are able to pivot to become nearly parallel to the boom 102 without the operator having to leave the cab.

(41) FIG. 10 illustrates the boom 102 in position for transport. As can now be readily appreciated the drop tubes 114 in the first fold section 218 are stored nearly parallel to the boom 102. The drop tubes 114 are stored in a vertical position at the second foldable section 222 of the boom 102 as are the drop tubes 114 at the front 220 of the boom 102. The ability to easily fold the drop tubes 114 for transport as illustrated in the first fold section 218 (and the opposite section, on the other side of the vehicle 104) cuts down considerably on the labor costs involved in the time and personnel it takes to prepare the vehicle for transport to and from a field for applying liquid to a field of crops.

(42) FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of an agricultural applicator 300. The Agricultural applicator 300 is attached to a boom 302 or to a sub-boom. Typically, as discussed above, conventional booms 302 have nozzles proximate the bottom of the boom 302 to apply/spray liquid on crops. The nozzle locations on the boom 302 do not allow the boom 302 to get above the crop canopy at some crop heights. Further, it also does not allow vehicles employing the boom 302 to use the boom 302 to move the canopy. In other words, typically as the boom 302 impacts crops as it moves through a field this can be advantageous because it bends the crop, opens up the canopy over the crop and allows the applied liquid to reach more of the crop foliage.

(43) The agricultural applicator 300 relocates application from a nozzle on the boom 302 to a spray tip 304 at a position higher than the boom 302. As the boom 302 moves through a field of crops the crops are bent over and the spray tip 304s above the boom 302 on the agricultural applicator 300 are able to direct the liquid to the foliage opened up by the boom 302. One can readily appreciate that the boom 302 may have and agricultural applicator 300 at each nozzle position on the boom 302.

(44) By extending the spray tip 304 to the correct height above the boom 302 and by allowing the spray tip 304 to be angled at the correct angle to penetrate the crop canopy within the turbulence created by the crop as it springs back up from being pushed by the boom 302, better crop coverage and penetration than any other application system is achieved.

(45) A difference between conventional booms 302 and their use with the agricultural applicator 300 is its ability to use the existing boom 302 to move the crop canopy while applying foliar amendments above the crop at the ideal height and angle due to its adjustable positioning mechanisms that moves the spray tips 304 well above the boom 302. Each spray tip 304 receive the supply of liquid to be applied to the crop via a hose 314. The hose 314 may be a push connector hose to allow for easy installation.

(46) The agricultural applicator 300 includes a magnetic base 306 for attachment to the boom 302. However, as can be appreciated other mounts including clamps and fasteners may be used by way of non-limiting examples. The agricultural applicator 300 includes a first locking ball 308 and socket joint 310 proximate the magnetic base 306. A telescoping tube 308 extends from socket joint 310 to a positional adjustment ball 312 attached to the spray tip 304. These features allow for positioning as well as spacing independent from the pre-existing nozzles on the boom 302. The adjustments provided by the features allow vertical and horizontal position to be set by the operator for ideal spray distribution.

(47) Optional components include tanks mounted by saddling existing sprayer tanks allowing placement of an additional tank on existing sprayers with minimal mounting problems. Other items will be spray pumps and control valves with harnesses that tee into existing sprayer control to tandem off of existing section control or as stand-alone control systems.

(48) All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

(49) The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.